Car coupling means



Jan. 7, 1947.

A v TERl-"Y I 2,413,801

AR COUPLING MEANS Filed Feb. 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l 34/ y a J 1'. 1 7.5

Inventor 14 mm Err CAR COUPLING MEANS Filed Feb. 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Shea; 2

Patented Jan. 7, 1947 CAR COUPLING MEANS Virginia Terry, Gary, WlVa.

Application February 9, 1945, Serial No. 577,055

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to coupling means which is especially, but not necessarily, adapted for use in coupling mine cars or equivalent conveyances.

In carrying out the principles of the invention I have evolved and produced novel coupling means which, it is believed, is possessed of requisite factors of strength, durability and freedom from liability to derangement of parts.

Secondly, I provide a coupler assemblage in which the female coupling head or unit is provided with a' simple and practicable cam-type latch, the latter being remote controlled by a rocker shaft and a connection between same and said latch, whereby to provide an assemblage of parts which lends itself adaptable for coaction there with of a companion male coupling head'having a simple free link which is virtually self-locating and quickly and reliably engageable with said latch.

The principal novelty resides, it is believed, in the specific construction of said female coupling head, the especially shaped latch pivotally mounted thereon, sprin means for holding the latch in normal retaining position, and the operating connection between the spring-held latch and car structure for conveniently and effectively releasing the latch and consequently the link on the male coupling head.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the followin description and the accompanying illustrative drawmgs.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are emplqyed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective View, partly of a fragmentary type, showing the aforementioned fe- Figure 8 is a rear end elevational view of the female coupling head.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the special latch.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the female drawhead or coupling proper is denoted male coupling head and complemental appurte nances directly cooperable therewith.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the male couplin head.

Figure 3 is a top View showing the head in section with the rest of the mechanism removed, this being the female coupling head.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3, showing the other head, that is, the male head, With the link removed.

Figure 5 is a central vertical sectional view through the female coupling head, with parts in elevation.

Figure 6 is a similar central vertical sectional view through the male coupling head.

Figure 7 is an elevational view, somewhat similar to Figure 5, but showing the parts mainly in elevation with the latch lifted to releasing position.

by the numeral NJ. It is characterized by a sector-shaped shell having its flaring end formed. into a suitable mouth defined by a beveled lip II and cam-surfaced, opposed side walls [2. This shell is bolted, or otherwise secured, as at iii, to a suitable base, for instance, a shelf-like extension M on the body E5 of the car or other conveyance or vehicle. The top wall thereof (see Fig. 5) is provided with a latch entrance and clearance slot l5 and at one end of the slot with upstanding lugs ll. The latch I 8 is pivotally mounted therebetween, as at ill, (see Figs. 1 and 8) and as shown in Figure 9, one edge of the latch functions as a cam 26 and the free end is rounded, as at 2|, and the beak is fashioned into a detent 22 receivable in a keeper seat 23 on the interior of the coupling head, as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the latch is provided with an externally arranged adapter bar 2a which extends beyond the diverging side walls of the coupling head, the extending ends being connected with coiled springs 25 anchored on retaining pins 26 on said head. The springs exert a normal downward pull and thus keep the latch seated in the retaining position illustrated in Figure 5. Attached to the central portion of the bar Z l is a clip 21 having a chain 28 connected with a rocker arm 29 on the central portion of the rocker shaft 30. The latter is mounted in appropriate' bearing brackets 31 on the support l5. The rocker shaft is provided with lateral ends 32 which serve as handles. There is also a U- shaped fixture 33 bolted, or otherwise secured, to the support, and this underlie the arm 29 and constitutes a suitable stop and rest therefor. The latch rocks toward its pivot means and travels in and out through the slot H6 in the coupling head. It is normally closed, as shown in Figure 5, but is susceptible of being raised to releasing position, as shown in Figure 7. This is accomplished through the medium of the rocker shaft, handles, rocker arm and pull chain connection shown and described.

The numeral ifia designates a support corresponding to the support [5, while Ma is the support for the male coupler head 34, This is also of sector-shaped or dovetailed form and of appropriate shape to accommodate the so-called free link 35. The link is anchored by a bolt, pin,

or the like, 36. It protrudes through the open mouth and is in readiness to slip into the coupling head l0. When the coupling heads are brought together, the link unseats the latch by cam action, whereupon the latch is re-seated by the springs, thus efiectively coupling the link to said head Ill. The release of the link is effected by disengaging the latch, as brought out advantageously in Figure '7.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. Coupling means comprising a hollow sectorshaped head having a slotted top wall, said top wall being provided with upstanding lugs, a latch pivoted between said lugs and depending and swingable in and out through the slot, the free swingable end of said latch being rounded, the lower edge thereofbeing inclined to provide a cam, said cam merging into the rounded end to define a detent, a cross-bar connected intermediate its ends to the exposed upper pivoted end portion of said latch, said bar extending at its opposite ends beyond adjacent surfaces of said coupling head, coiled springs connected to the extending ends of said bar, and means anchoring the springs on said coupling head.

2. Coupling means comprising a hollow sectorshaped head having a slotted top wall, said top wall being provided with upstanding lugs, the latter on opposite sides of one end portion of said slot, a latch pivoted at its outer upper end between said lugs and having its opposite free end swingable in and out through said slot, the free swingable end of said latch being rounded, the lower edge thereof being inclined to provide a cam, said cam merging into the rounded end to define a detent, a cross-bar secured intermediate its ends to the exposed upper pivoted end portion of said latch, said bar extending at its opposite ends beyond adjacent surfaces of said coupling head, coiled springs connected to the extending ends of said bar, means anchoring the springs on said coupling head, supporting means for said head, a rocker shaft mounted for oscillation in bearings on said supporting means, a rocker arm on said shaft, a chain connection between the rocker arm and cross-ban and a substantially U- shaped stop fixedly mounted on said support and underlying said rocker arm and constituting a stabilizing rest for said arm.

VIRGINIA TERRY. 

